Lost: All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues
For a few minutes Wednesday night, J.J. Abrams had me. I mean, he really had me thinking they'd actually done the unconventional move and killed off a popular character. I felt sure that all the press coverage of Dominic Monagahan's protrayal of Charlie and how popular the actor and the character are was just going to be a ruse. One of those moments where just as you started feeling comfortable and safe with all these characters that, by gum, the one you thought they wouldn't kill would actually be the one who died. Those few moments when it looked as if Charlie was gone for good reminded me of the early season of
Picket Fences when no one was safe from the cruel finger of fate (Mayor Pugen, anyone?). So, I guess that when Charlie was revived a part of me was relieved but a bigger part of me was kind of annoyed--not at the show for keeping him around but at myself for buying hooking-line-and-sinker that they might, must might kill off the character. I mean, I have heard through the grapevine that someone is scheduled to shuffle off this mortal coil before the season ends. So why not Charlie?
It's interesting that this episode should remind me so much of the Picket Fences rule that no character is safe because it reminded me a lot of Picket Fences in other ways as well. The biggest being that it's beginning to provide some payoff on the wheels set in motion by the first ten episodes. I loved seeing the character interactions--from Walt's defense of Locke to Michael to Walt playing backgammon. Also, we had the scene between Sawyer and Sayid, in which we assume that Sawyer is gonna take his shot and exact retribution...but yet he doesn't. Instead, he tells Sayid that he's keeping the signal fire going and doesn't take the chance to kill him or beat the crap out of him. Why? We're not quite sure yet--I don't think it's that Sawyer has had some big change of heart. I see Sawyer as Rygel-like character (from
Farscape). He's selfish and it's all about how the situation helps his own agenda. At this point, it makes no sense to kill Sayid but later it might. It should be interesting to see how it plays out. Also, I loved Walt's comment to Sawyer that making up a name is silly. Great moment.
But the focus of this one is about Jack and his need to be a hero--to save people. We see this in flashbacks--Jack tries to save his father from himself but can't. It leads to Jack's betraying his father and possibly causing his father to lose his medical license (hence why he had to go to Australia after Dad. Also makes Jack's obsessive need to just be done with the whole funeral for his dad in the last Jack-centered flashback make a lot more sense). On the island, Jack sees his chance to be the hero again by rescuing Charlie and Claire--doing what he couldn't do for his fathe and save them. Seeing Jack's drive and obsessive quest reminded me a lot of John Wayne's Ethan Edwards from
The Searchers (one of my favorite movies). Ethan goes on the quest to save his niece and he doesnt' care what happens so long as he saves her--but will he really save her?
Meanwhile, we're left with a cliffhanger--Locke and Boone discover some type of metal buried in the mud. What is it? And where does it lead? Part of me shouted out "It's an SD6 facility so we can have an
Alias crossover!" but I'm intrigued. I've heard some good theories like it's a spaceship, but I don't buy it. All I know is that we left things hanging and I will be anxiously awaiting January 5 when the story continues....
Smallville: Scare
Something goes wrong (again) at LexCorp. The town is threatened (again). Clark runs around and saves the day all while concealing his true nature from everyone (again). You know, I am beginning to wonder if there's something in the water in Smallville that makes the entire town completely unobservant. How Clark can get away with savng everyone or miraculously showing up at the right moment in places he has not right to be without anyone going, "You know, that's a bit odd..." is beyond me. I think I'm thinking waaaaaay too much about this show. It may not be meant to stand up to the same level of scrutiny that Lost does. I'm beginning to get the feeling that this season's theme is "keeping secrets is hard". I say this becuase it feels as if the last act of EVERY episode talks about this. Seriously, at this point, I'm guessing the only way we can make this more clear is if Jonthan reveals he's a cross-dresser who likes wearing his Daisy Dukes. This week, Chloe tells us she has a secret--her mom is in the looney bin (can you spot the clever out by the writers for why Chloe won't be believed when she figures out Clark Kent equals Superman later?). And she knows Clark has a big ol' secret...if only he'd unburden to her.
Meanwhile, the only one in town showing any sense is Jason, who is packing his bags and running for the hills. I guess he finally figured out that dating Lana ain't no great shakes since she has been possessed by a witch, go him fired and this week nearly got him killed. He didn't like the person he had become with her...I almost fell out of my chair laughing at this scene. We all know he'll be back since his Mom is lurking around now. And three guessses as to who was in the limo that picked up Lionel--wanna bet it's Jason's Mommy?
Arrested Development: Good Grief
Every time they had someone walking away depressed, head hanging down and the "Christmas Time Is Here" track from A Charlie Brown Christmas playing, I was laughing out loud. Espeically the first time when you see Snoopy's house in the background. Ah, it was so great. This show is just too funny sometimes. And then, Lindsey's trying to pick up Ice, the bounty hunter/caterer.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 12/10/2004 11:46:00 AM |
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